Platt-Cady Mansion
Also known as: George P. & Susan Platt Cady Library
Why it's listed
Set behind an ornamental iron fence on River Street in Nichols, this two-story brick mansion is described as the most imposing building in the village. Nemeniah Platt, son of local settler Major Platt, built it sometime after 1827. A six-columned, two-story portico dominates the five-bay front, and its capitals resemble bundled stalks, reflecting the American interest in Egyptian forms around 1830. Inside, a cherry staircase, stained glass, black marble fireplaces and quartered oak wainscoting remain. A board-and-batten carriage house with a gambrel roof stands at the rear. Dr. George P. Cady married Platt's daughter Susan and acquired the home about 1855. After Cady's son died in 1935, his estate passed to the town, and the library moved in after the estate was settled in 1941. The building is valued as a sophisticated upstate example of Greek Revival design and as a long-standing community landmark.
Significance in brief: The nomination presents it as a fine example of a Greek Revival country residence in upstate New York, with Egyptian-influenced column capitals and a monumental portico. It was also the home of the Platt and Cady families, among the village's leading families, until the town acquired it for a library.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 76001286, listed August 13, 1976. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 18 River St., Nichols |
|---|---|
| County | Tioga County |
| Listed | August 13, 1976 |
| Reference number | 76001286 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival with Egyptian Revival elements |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Used as a library on the first floor, with an apartment on the second floor; also serves as a center for town government. Condition listed as good. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.02200, -76.36633 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 76001286.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7202461
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.